Fansided

James Harden Makes MVP statement with career night

By Josh Criswell

Mar 7, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Rockets won 114-100. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Rockets won 114-100. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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James Harden led the Houston Rockets to victory last night with a career-high 51 points, enhancing his resume in a very tight MVP race.

As he has so many times this season, James Harden put the Houston Rockets on his back and carried them to victory with possibly the most impressive offensive performance of the budding superstar’s career.

Even more impressive than his second 50-point game on the season was his efficiency in doing so. Harden finished the game shooting 16-of-25 from the field, 8-of-9 on 3-point attempts and 11-of-13 from the free throw line. The MVP candidate also grabbed eight boards while dishing out six assists.

DeMarcus Cousins had a dominant performance last night in Houston as well, recording the second triple-double of his career. Cousins finished with a remarkable all-around performance of 24 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists, but it was still not enough for the Sacramento Kings to overcome Harden’s career-night.

Just as any true superstar would, Harden rose to the occasion and fed off of his opponent’s elite performance.

"“I had to match his energy,” Harden said via the Houston Chronicle. “If he takes over the game and he is doing everything, I have to bring that same intensity to even it out. He is a great player and I wanted to match that intensity.”"

This competitive nature and desire to will his team to victory is what makes him such a dangerous player.

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All-Star center Dwight Howard was sidelined once again as part of coach Kevin McHale’s plan to limit his minutes and protect his health for the postseason. Harden and the Rockets excelled despite his absence, something that has been commonplace all season long.

Despite Howard only appearing in 35 games and putting up his lowest scoring numbers since his second year in the league, Harden has Houston in a tie with the Memphis Grizzlies for second-place in the loaded Western Conference and first in the Southwest Division.

Does his career-best 51-point performance put him over-the-top as the leading MVP candidate in the NBA?

Absolutely.

It is not the fact that a put up his second 50-point game in the past eight games, neither was it his uncanny court vision and newfound hustle that earned him eight rebounds and six assists last night.

The reason Harden deserves the MVP comes for one simple reason: there is not another more valuable player in the NBA than him, and that is no slight at Golden State Warriors Steph Curry.

With seven games left in the season, the Rockets are in position to secure a No. 2 seed in the best conference in the league. Without him they would be a lottery team.

That is the monumental impact James Harden has on his team. Look no further as to why he rightfully should to be crowned the 2015 NBA MVP.

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